The connections of NYT sometimes (most of the times actually!) really makes you mad! You are supposed to group stuff together!
It is the adult version of match the following!
Yesterday there was a word which sent me running to Google!
The word was Herpetofauna!
Do you know what that is! Do you now realize that I will tell you whether you want to know or not!
Oh yeah, while at that you will also learn what is Herping! Now that is not a typo of Helping! Though it may be close!
So coming to the connection!
Herpetofauna refers to the collective group of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, caecilians) and reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, tuataras) in a specific area!
This term is derived from the Greek herpetón (creeping) and fauna (animals).
Yes! If you have seen the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom then there is a scene in which you are supposed to go through all the creepy things to reach a lever! If you have phobia of creepy things then you better not watch it!
Herpetofaunas are both creepy and slimy!
But these specific amphibians and reptiles actually play crucial roles in ecosystems as predators and prey, and many species, especially amphibians, act as vital indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes, making them important subjects for ecological study (herpetology) and conservation efforts!
They are characterized by cold blood! Like the amphibians which have smooth moist skin and often require water for reproduction (e.g., frogs, salamanders).
The reptiles though have scales or shells and are more independent of water due to amniotic eggs (e.g., snakes, lizards, turtles).
If there are amphibians and snakes in an area then it is a good area as far as nature is concerned!
One of their roles is ecological where they serve as predators (controlling pests) and prey, impacting food webs.
They are sensitive to pollution and habitat loss, signaling ecosystem health.
The focus of Herpetology which is the scientific study of amphibians and reptiles is thus to save them from threats like habitat destruction which requires focused conservation and research.
Which brings us to Herping! That is simply the hobby of searching for and observing herpetofauna in the wild! Now that is a wild hobby!
So you learnt a new word! Do you know another new word called Gondhali?
It’s an art form and one of the legends of this art form is Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar!
Do read about him!
Shubh ratri…
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